Looking for a New Way to Run Your Kindergarten Reading Groups? Let’s Talk About “Bookclub”!
You know that feeling when your small groups just aren't quite clicking? Maybe you've got a few kiddos who aren't engaging, or you're struggling to meet everyone's needs ALL AT ONCE. I've totally been there! That's actually why I spent part of my February break (in between Netflix binges, let's be real! 😊) reflecting on my small group instruction.
So, I thought I would focus today's post on this practice and share about my "bookclub" framework with you. This has truly been a game-changer in my kindergarten classroom, and I think it might help you too!
What's This "Bookclub" Thing All About?
First off, don't let the name fool you - it's not your typical book club! It's what I call my flexible small group time. Once I started calling our small group "Bookclub" I noticed the energy and positive reaction. My little ones felt so special being part of a "club." (And we all know how much kindergarteners love feeling grown-up!)
Here's how it works in my room:
Focus: Read-aloud
An opportunity to cozy-up and dive into a story with a small group of learners. We do lots of stop-and-think moments, make predictions, and chat about the story. The best part? Because it's a small group, even my quietest friends feel comfortable sharing their thoughts!
Focus: Learning Cool New Things
My kiddos LOVE non-fiction books about animals, space, and basically anything that makes them say "cool!" I use these sessions to build their vocabulary and background knowledge. Trust me, there's nothing cuter than hearing a 5-year-old correctly use the word "metamorphosis" during out snack time!
Focus: Working on Specific Skills
You know those moments when you realize three or four students are struggling with the same sound? That's when I pull a homogeneous group (fancy way of saying kids who need the same thing). We work on exactly what they need - could be letter sounds, sight words, or beginning blending skills.
Here's The Real Secret Sauce: Mix Up Your Groups!
Some days I group kids by their reading level (homogeneous groups). This is perfect when:
- You're working with decodables
- Teaching a specific phonics skill
- Practicing sight words
- Building confidence
Other days, I mix abilities (flexible groups). This works great when:
- Strong readers can help emerging readers
- We're exploring a fun theme
- Working on comprehension through discussion
- Building vocabulary through stories
But How Do You Manage It All?
ROUTINE! ROUTINE! ROUTINE! I also keep it super simple so that it feels doable! I have a basic planner where I jot down:
- Who I'm meeting with
- What we're working on
- Which books we're using
- Any quick notes about how it went
The key is being flexible. Sometimes my best-laid plans go out the window because a group needs something different that day - and that's okay! You have the data and you know your students best.
Need Resources to Get Started?
Having reading resources is important, but having the right readers is crucial. Our reading resources have been vetted by the Reading League and appear in their list of decodable readers.
Decodable readers are especially important for our little ones just starting their reading journey. They give kids that "I can do it! " I got this!" feeling we all want for them.
Remember, you don't have to have it all figured out at once. Start small, maybe with just reorganizing one group time, and build from there. Your kiddos will love being part of a special "bookclub," and you'll love seeing their progress!
Got questions? Drop them in the comments! I'd love to hear how you're managing your small groups too! 💕
P.S. If you're looking to build your decodable library, don't forget to use code "readers" for 25% off my decodable collection!
Happy teaching!
TP@Sparking creativity Now
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